Environmental Challenges in Aviation: The Airport and the Environment

Environmental Challenges in Aviation (by Diego Llorente) 

Environmental challenges in aviation. In this blog, today we are present before one of the greatest challenges facing aviation in recent years. Environmental factors have undoubtedly become a priority for the aviation industry in recent years. In aviation, there are many factors that are being considered to generate a possible environmental impact. EASA (2021) "The challenge of climate change, noise in the airport environment, polluting emissions and their effects on health, the protection of biodiversity, the development of new sustainable fuels or new propulsion systems are areas that demand strategies and measures to face these challenges."

Demanding environmental regulations are being implemented, both at the European, American, national, or international levels. This content encompasses world aviation. Last week I spoke about the weight and importance of regulations and standards in aviation. We are in the presence of a future or recent possible change in world aviation. These laws have a field of application from the evaluation and management of the acoustic impact, followed by the policies to reduce emissions that are the cause of global warming, regulations on air quality, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, or conservation of the natural heritage of the territory with the airport operation and can be affirmed to continue listing many more regulations those that contemplate the protection of the environment and aviation. The focus this week will be on the airport and its environment. Communities near airports reflect excess noise, fuel odors, and many other factors. Is it really like that many times it is thought?

The airport is a space-time area in which the main and related operations related to air navigation produce an unavoidable environmental impact. the main environmental problems generated by airport operations are noise, emissions, soil erosion, contamination of surface and underground water, degradation of flora and fauna, and others. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) leads the efforts of the air transport industry regarding climate change and the improvement of aviation environmental performance with a strategy based on four pillars: investment in technology, efficient flight of aircraft, construction of efficient infrastructures, and the use of positive economic measures.

On the other hand, the implementation of the use of biofuels shows the greatest possibilities for reducing carbon emissions from aviation. In aviation, for several years work has been done to reduce environmental pollution. The world needs you as the world needs aviation. If aviation does not preserve the world, aviation like many other things will cease to exist. A logical and obvious context but it really must be considered because we are allowing a lot of time to act. Aviation is a discipline that always tries to stay one step ahead. Due to this, all these measures and strategies are being implemented over time.

The environmental impact of aviation occurs because aircraft engines emit heat, noise, particles, and gases that contribute to climate change and global dimming. Airplanes emit particles and gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, lead, and black carbon that interact with each other and with the atmosphere. The intention is to modify the type of fuel and generate all those possibilities to reduce to the maximum possible point.

In conclusion, Airports serve as the base for aircraft operations, and these link countries with different environmental legislation. For these reasons it is good to identify them and IATA, ICAO is working to unify contexts and positions. Regardless of this situation, the environment of aviation receives increasing attention from society, its emissions represent a small part of the world total, being one of the economic sectors with an ambitious reduction of emissions and protection of the environment. Aviation is a discipline that not only ensures safety, integrity, prestige but also cares for the environment and each one of the beings that inhabit planet earth and users of aviation.

References

Autores, A. O. (2016, May 30). El impacto de las operaciones aeroportuarias sobre el medio ambiente: principales aspectos jurídicos*. CEDAE Online. https://cedaeonline.com.ar/2014/10/01/el-impacto-de-las-operaciones-aeroportuarias-sobre-el-medio-ambiente-principales-aspectos-juridicos/

Llorente, D. (2021). El sueño de ser piloto comercial: De América Latina a los Estados Unidos (Spanish Edition) (1st ed.). Editorial Autores de Argentina.